CHINA • MUSIC OF THE HAKKA

Hakka people is an important Chinese minority (92 million) living mainly in mountainous areas. Hakka groups settled in Taiwan in the 17th century bringing with them their customs, their rites and their music. The bayin is a classical music, sometimes melancholic sometimes joyous, played on oboe or flute, fiddles and percussions at weddings, burials and in the temples. Hakka also entertain themselves with humorous or melancholic love songs called mountain songs. The group led by Chung Yun-Hui is one of the most famous in Taiwan. These musicians perform approximately 150 to 200 times in a year for traditional events.